14 day plan

Glory Box: The Covenantal Chest

Day 9 of 14

NIV

1 Samuel 4:3-11

'...the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” '…When the ark of the Lord’s covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook. Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, “What’s all this shouting in the Hebrew camp?” When they learned that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp, the Philistines were afraid. “A god has come into the camp,” they said. “Oh no! Nothing like this has happened before. We’re doomed! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness '…The Israelites were defeated and…The ark of God was captured’. 1 Samuel 4:3, 5-8, 10-11, New International Version

Reflection:  Problems with the Ark         

Power begets problems: Israel was confident that they could manipulate their God, the Philistines hopeful they could capture Israel’s God. But, as they were reminded, divine power is a fearsome thing. It’s not divination or magic and it’s not a trophy.

They say, ‘One man’s meat is another man’s poison’; and the Philistines soon discovered that to be literally true. Each city where they placed the ark was poisoned by the wrath of God. They suffered seven months of punishment and plague, reminiscent of the plagues of Egypt. Chastened and humbled by Israel’s God whose Exodus glory-story was still renowned, they returned the Glory Box complete with additional guilt offerings – golden gifts of rats and tumours (imagine putting that on your Christmas gift list! see 1 Samuel 4-6). “Give glory to the God of Israel,” the Philistine priests advised, “and perhaps he will lift his hand from you and your gods and your land.”

Meanwhile, had Israel been forgetful? Longing? Languishing for the powerful presence of their covenant-God? Or just guilty and defeated? It’s telling that instead of bringing the Glory Box to Jerusalem they let it be for 20 long years (at Kiriath Jearim, in the house of Abinadab).

“He rules the world with truth and grace,

and makes the nations prove,

the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love.” (Hymn by Isaac Watts)

Prayer:  LORD of Hosts, you are ever present in our troubling times.  Covenant-God, you are our refuge and strength.

God-alone, you will be praised throughout the earth. (Psalm 46:1,10-11 paraphrased)

 Replace any fears we have with calm confidence in who you are.

Days

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